The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-11-12
starve, or beg, as my Jezsbel bade me when

-,'eA 10 VI Dt'ss3 tS W. OCA-bSt OaAO mt "hSh
we parted
Il lost sight Of Molinos for along time,
and when [ next came upon him it was in
the Rookery of Westminster, in low lodging
house, where was searching with an officer
for stolen goods. He was pointed out to
me as the gentleman cadger, because he
was so free with his money when in luck.
He recognized me, but turned away then.
III have since seen him and relieved him
more than once, although he never asks
for anything. How he lives, heaven
knows. Without money, without friends,
without useful education Of any kind, he
tramps the country, as you saw him, per-
baps doing little hop-picking or hay
making, only happy when he obtains the
means to get drunk. have heard through
the kitchen whispers, that you know come
10 me, that he is entitled to some property,
and l expect if he were to die his wife
would pay the 9100 bill / hold; at any
rate, what have told you know to be
true, and the bundle of rags relieved just
now is known in every thieves lodging as
the gentleman cadger,
The story produced an impression on
me. ! am fond of speculation and like
the excitement of legal hdnt as much as
some do fox chase A gentleman, a
besgar, wife rolling in wealth, rumors of
unknown property due to the husband; it
seems as if there was picking for me amidst
this carrion of pauperism. Before return
inc from LIVERPOOL | had purchased the
gentleman beggar's acceptance from Bal
ance. then inserted in the Times the
following advertisement: "Horace Molinos
Fitz Roy If this gentleman will apply to
David Discount, Esq, solicitor, St. james,
he will hear of something to his advantage.
Any person furnishing Mr.. F.'s address
shall receive e1 Is reward. He was last
seen, etc." Within twenty-four hours l
had ample proof of the wide circulation of
the Times My Office was besieged by
beggars of every degree, men and women,
lame and blind, Irish, Scotch and English,
some on crutches, some in bowls some in
go-carts. They all knew him as the 'gen-
tleman," and l must do the regular frater-
nifty Of tramps the justice to say that not
one would answer a question until he made
certain that meant the gentleman no
harm.
One evening about three weeks after the
appearance of the advertisement my clerk
announced "another beggar." There came
in an old man leaning on staff, clad in a
soldiers gray coat all patched and torn,
with battered hat, from under which a
mass of tangled hair fell over his shoulders
and half concealed his face, The beggar,
in weak, wheezy, hesitating tone, said: +:
'eYou have advertised for Molinos Fitz-
Roy. l hope you don't mean him any
harm, he is sunk, I think, too low for en-
nifty now, and surely no one would sport
with such misery as his These last words
uttered in q sort of piteous whisper
| answered quickly. "Heaven forbid |
should sport with misery; l mean and hope
to do him good as well as myself"
"Then, sir, am Molinos Fitz-Roy !"
While we were conversing, candles had
been brought in. l have not very tender
nerves-my head would not agree with
them-but own | started and shuddered
when saw and knew that the wretched
creature before me was under 30 years OF
age and once gentleman. Sharp, aquiline
features, reduced to literal skin and bone,
swoTe begiimmed and covered with dry fair
hair the white teeth of the half open
mouth chattered with eagerness and made
more hideous the foul pallor of the rest of
the countenance As he stood leaning on
a staff half bent, his long, yellow, bony
fingers clasped over the crutch head Of his
stick, he was indeed a picture of misery,
famine, squalor and premature age, too
horrible to dwell upon, | made him sit
down, and then sent for some refreshment,
which he devoured like ghoul, and set to
work to unravel his story. 1t was difficult
to keep to the point; but with pains |
learned what convinced me that he was en-
titled to some property, whether great or
small there is no evidence. On parting |
said, Snow, Mr.. F., you must stay in town
while 1 make proper inquiries. What al
lowance will be enough to keep you COM
fortably ?"
He answered humbly, after much press
ing, "Would you think ten shillings too
much p
don't like, if do these things at all,
to do them shabbily, so 1 said: "Come
every Saturday and you shall have pound.
He was profuse in his thanks, as all such
men are as long as distress lasts.
had previous learned that my ragged
clients wife was in England, living in a
splendid house in Hyde Park gardens, un-
der her maiden name. On the following
day the earl of Owen called upon me, want
ing $4,000 by 5 o'clock the same evening.
1t was a case of life or death with him, so
| made my terms, and took advantage OF
his pressure to execute coup demain. L
proposed that he should drive me home to
receive the money, calling at Mrs. Molinos ,
in Hyde Park gardens on our way. l
knew that the coronet and liveries of his
father the marquis would insure me an
audience with Mrs. Molinos Fitz-Roy.
My scheme answered. was introduced
into the lady's presence, She was, and
probably is, a very stately, handsome wo.
man, with pale complexion, high, solid
forehead, regular features, thin, pinched,
selfsatisfed mouth My interview was
very short. plunged into the middle of
the affair, but had scarcely mentioned the
word husband, when she interrupted me
with, II presume you have lent this profit
gate person money and you want me to
pay you" She paused, and then said
sHe shall not have farthing." As she
spoke her white face became scarlet.
aBut, madam, the man is starving. l
have strong reasons for believing he is en-
titled to property, and if you refuse any
assistance | must take other measures. "
She rang the bell, wrote something rapidly
on card, and, as the footman appeared,
pushed it toward me across the table with
the air Of touching toad, saying: "There,
sir, is the address of my solicitors; apply to
them if you think you have any claim.
Robert, show the person out, and take care
he is not admitted again.
So far had effected nothing; and, to
tell the truth, felt rather crestfallen under
the influence of that grand manner pecu-
liar to certain great ladies and to all great
/ actresses.